Hall effect current sensors are used for a variety of applications. One of the benefits of Hall effect sensors is their small size, which allows them to be used in tiny electronic devices. According to Electronic Design, these sensors have built-in compensation, which enables them to take reliable measurements across wide temperature ranges of -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. Let’s look at some common places where you can find hall effect current sensors.
What Are Hall Effect Current Sensors?
Before we look into where Hall effect current sensors are located, we first need to understand what they are. According to Britannica, the Hall effect is defined as the development of a transverse electric field in a solid material when it carries an electric current and is placed in a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the current. Hall effect current sensors are electronic devices that can monitor current travel using the Hall effect from the magnetic field created by current flow.
Once detected, the sensor then converts its findings into data that can be used to monitor the amount of current in a system. Based on the current levels, other devices can be signaled to switch circuits on and off. Hall effect sensors can also provide measurements of varying magnetic fields. The Hall effect is generally indicative of the presence of a magnetic field close to a conductor.
Applications of Hall Effect Sensors
Hall effect current sensors are found in a variety of different small applications. They are used in GPS systems, cell phones, cars, and IoT devices. According to PR Newswire, the Hall effect current sensors market has grown significantly and is expected to reach $7.55 billion by 2026. Here are some areas where you can expect to find Hall effect current sensors.
Solar Power Systems
The solar power industry uses lots of Hall effect current sensors. These sensors can be used on solar power arrays to monitor the amount of electricity produced instantaneously. Their purpose is to monitor the power production so that tracking devices can document the power over use or under use by the buildings at a location. Using these to track actual production and usage of power, companies can charge for the power accurately.
Cell Phones
Hall effect current sensors can be found in phones and other mobile devices. They have several purposes including monitoring to see if a battery is producing too little current or if a chip is pulling too much current. Both can be signs of faulty components. In addition, a Hall effect sensor can be used to detect devices that open and close are closed or open.
When you close the device, a magnet in the cover will be brought closer to the sensor on the tablet or smartphone. The cover magnet generates a magnetic field that then causes the creation of Hall voltage. When the sensor detects the magnetic force, a tablet or mobile phone can be programmed to perform a specific function or operation.
A Hall effect sensor can also be programmed to disable the screen when it’s covered. This is a common method used to extend battery life and make a device unusable when the cover is closed. These sensors are small, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
Automotive Work
As companies develop autonomous driving vehicles, they are equipping them with different types of sensors. Hall effect current sensors are among the sensors being used in cars to facilitate autonomous driving. They have several advantages over other types of sensors when it comes to measuring principles and technologies. Modern types of Hall effect current sensors also meet the more stringent regulations of ISO 26262:2018.
Hall effect sensors can be used to measure different variables, including rotation, distance, speed, pressure, fill level, and angle. Since the sensors generally measure the strength of magnetic fields around conductors with steady current flows, they can also be used to detect current without contact. Similarly, automotive manufacturers use them to measure various other parameters without contact. As a result, wear and tear are greatly minimized in the testing process. This makes it so that they can be used to deliver precise measurements over long periods.
Car manufacturers use Hall effect sensors as switches for things like seat belt buckles, engine switching systems, and windshield wipers. Some of the most common Hall effect sensors used in the automotive industry include the Melexis’ MLX92241. This sensor comes with built-in blocking capacitors. It can be used to detect whether a seat belt is fastened.
GPS Applications
GPS systems are another area where Hall effect sensors are being used. They are very reliable when it comes to precise GPS measurements. A GPS device based on Hall effect sensors will start to be tracked when the Hall sensor detects changes in the magnetic field. The sensor will process the data and send it to the display, and in some instances, the data can be sent directly to the cloud. This is usually done using Firebase.
Hall effect sensors have come a long way. Several new types do not measure the absolute magnetic field. Instead, they analyze the sine and cosine of the magnetic field. Direct angle Hall effect sensors, like the programmable Micronas HAL 36xy, are perfect for automotive applications.
In addition, Hall effect current sensors designed specifically for power monitoring have increased the ability to track both AC and DC power production and usage accurately. Are you looking for Hall effect current sensors for your application? Get in touch with Aim Dynamics today. We would love to help you find just what you need.
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